Believe It Or Not, Most Americans Disapprove Of Shutdown Over Planned Parenthood; Also — Donald Trump Unveils Tax Plan

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69 Percent of Americans Oppose Shutdown Over Planned Parenthood

Following Republican House Speaker John Boehner‘s surprise resignation last week, Planned Parenthood has become a prominent presence in headlines as the right flank of his party threatens to shut down the federal government in an effort to defund the popular health care agency.

But instead of agreeing to a shutdown, the 65-year-old U.S. Representative from Ohio chose to step aside, telling CBS’ Face the NationSunday that voters need to “beware of false prophets,” meaning conservatives will not be able to defund Planned Parenthood, a move Democrats have vowed to fight.

Democrats are not the only ones who oppose a shutdown over Planned Parenthood. Sixty-nine percent of American voters oppose shutting down the federal government in the dispute over Planned Parenthood, according to results of a Quinnipiac University National Poll released Monday.

Only 23 percent support closing the government in the dispute. Fifty-six percent to 36 percent of Republicans oppose a shutdown due to Planned Parenthood. Meanwhile, just 44 percent to 39 percent have a favorable opinion of the group, the results show.

“While voter support for Planned Parenthood is tepid, most American voters, especially women and Democrats, don’t want to cut off federal funding,” Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said in a statement.

“And voters say 3-1, ‘Don’t shut down the federal government over this issue,’ he continued. “Most Republicans oppose a shutdown.”

Planned Parenthood is one of the nation’s largest abortion providers, which makes it a favorite target of right to life conservatives. They pledged to defund the group this summer after an anti-abortion organization released a series of doctored videos that claimed to show workers selling aborted fetal parts. Even after it became apparent that the videos had been altered, the lawmakers did not change their tune.

But Boehner’s resignation, which will come at the end of October, decreases the likelihood of a shutdown, according to CBS.

“The Senate is expected to pass a continuing resolution next week…we’ll also take up a select committee to investigate these horrific videos that we’ve seen from abortion clinics that we’ve seen in several states,” Boehner said.